Accidental Hero: The Rookie Who Outshines the Force - Chapter 60

“Hey! Xiao Chen, you were right to let Lu Cheng handle this case!”

Chen Weimin chuckled.

“Of course! Brother Lu went to the CID team to observe how they solve cases. Who else could do it? Yuan Jie didn’t even get a chance.”

Chen Zelong’s tone carried both admiration and envy.

Yuan Jie glared at him, two metaphorical daggers shooting from his eyes.

“The case was solved by Lu Cheng. Who cares who’s learning from whom!”

Chen Weimin said proudly and went upstairs.

The three downstairs felt the ground shake.

What?

What did you say?

The case… was solved by Lu Cheng?

No way…

They all turned to Lu Cheng. He didn’t deny it. That meant… it was true.

“R-really you solved it?”

“N-no, Brother Lu, how could you even dare?!”

Chen Zelong’s first thought was the “dare” factor. To be honest, he was just a non-professional here to observe and learn. Standing beside professionals, even sharing a single opinion risked being laughed at as a rookie.

But Lu Cheng? He actually solved the case.

And on top of that, he did it by overturning the CID team’s carefully established investigation and evidence chain.

Then, he boldly deduced the true culprit himself?!

Come on, Brother Lu! You’ve just raised the bar for trainee cops so high that even graduating from the police academy would now require catching a master thief and solving a homicide!

Chen Zelong had once dreamed of working in the CID, but in reality, he’d realize he was just a rookie—stammering through explanations, producing nothing.

Meanwhile, Lu Cheng had stunned the division leaders at the meeting, discovered key fingerprints at the crime scene, located the murder weapon at the disposal site, and provided a completely new line of investigation—ultimately solving the case.

Could he not show off so much?

At this moment, Chen Zelong and Zhu Yiping looked at Lu Cheng as if he were a legendary figure.

And admiration surged through them like a roaring river. Brother Lu was living like a protagonist in a power fantasy novel.

Even the top students beside them, besides being shocked, felt like their years of professional training had been wasted. Who gets to solve a homicide on their first time participating?

Not only did he find the evidence, but he also reasoned it out. He was clearly the key player in the entire case.

No kidding, this guy is broken!

Yuan Jie couldn’t handle it. He silently returned to his seat, picked up a realistic crime novel, Hou Dali’s Criminal Investigation Notes, and buried himself in it.

He wanted to improve himself. No dinner for him tonight—only progress.

As the end of the workday approached, Song Chengfeng announced an extra meal in the cafeteria.

Braised pork and spare ribs.

Yuan Jie’s mouth watered. Eating and self-improvement didn’t conflict.

Until Song Chengfeng explained why.

The extra meal was in recognition of the Sanli Bridge Police Station’s outstanding performance in both the anti-pickpocket operation and the Fangjia Alley homicide.

Basically… he’d just been called out by name.

It was all Lu Cheng stealing the spotlight, making the precinct famous.

Some officers realized that sometimes, envy comes too late to matter.

Lin Wenbin and Chen Zelong slung their arms over Lu Cheng’s shoulders from either side, grinning.

“Power-fantasy protagonist, let’s hit the cafeteria!”

“Brother Lu, I’ll get your food!”

Everyone wanted to cozy up to Lu Cheng. Lin Wenbin and Chen Zelong were the fastest.

Just as Lu Cheng was about to respond, his phone rang.

Lin Wenbin and Chen Zelong peeked. The caller ID read “Darling”.

Two single guys instantly felt the sting of envy. Could this nickname get any cheesier?

Lin Wenbin swallowed. “Brother Lu… is that… Officer Su?”

Chen Zelong gave him a nudge. “Really? Who else could it be? She officially acknowledged it, remember?”

Damn!

A wave of envy and exasperation swept through the young officers. Lu Cheng was a total beast—a life winner.

Lu Cheng answered. The office fell silent. Though he hadn’t put it on speaker, everyone could hear the cool, clear voice of Su Qingwu:

“Off work? Let’s have dinner together.”

Some officers had hoped for a different caller. But hearing her voice dashed all hope—Su Qingwu had initiated the dinner invite herself.

Lu Cheng… you deserved a fate worse than death. Pure beast mode, level three.

Jealousy and resentment merged into curses.

In full view of everyone, Lu Cheng walked out of the precinct gate.

All eyes were on Su Qingwu, standing gracefully by a white Audi. Her pale, flawless skin, almond-shaped eyes glistening, long curled lashes, and perfectly proportioned features made her look as if Nüwa herself had meticulously designed her.

She wore a simple T-shirt and sky-blue denim shorts, showcasing long, straight legs. Her aura was ethereal, like a goddess—untouched by makeup, effortlessly stunning.

Young officers, clutching their cafeteria trays, froze, dumbstruck.

Lu Cheng quickened his pace. He hadn’t expected Su Qingwu to show up—and to invite him to dinner.

Wasn’t she busy this afternoon?

Su Qingwu’s expression remained calm, her face as serene as ever. She said nothing but, “Get in,” and gracefully slipped into the driver’s seat.

Lu Cheng got in the passenger side.

Su Qingwu pressed the accelerator, and the little white car almost took off.

At the precinct gate, the young officers were still in a daze. Some had unknowingly crushed their trays in their hands.

Chen Weimin and Song Chengfeng also headed to the cafeteria. The former scolded the younger officers, shaking his head:

“You bunch of hopeless kids, staring won’t help you! If you had half of Lu Cheng’s skill, the precinct’s single, beautiful girls wouldn’t just pick anyone. Stop being jealous!”

Song Chengfeng sighed. Humans are weak. Comparison is deadly. Hopefully, today’s cafeteria dishes had no vinegar, or these kids would turn sour.

…

Su Qingwu drove Lu Cheng for over twenty minutes, arriving at a restaurant that looked like a private establishment. The courtyard-style building was tucked among greenery, peaceful and beautiful.

The interior radiated a rustic, country-house charm.

“This place is fancy,” Lu Cheng remarked.

It was his first time at a place like this—the class level was through the roof. He looked at Su Qingwu as if to say: We’re just grabbing a meal—do we need all this?

Su Qingwu hadn’t expected such a place either. Her friend Hu Ya had said it was hard to reserve, requiring a two-week advance booking.

Originally, Hu Ya and her boyfriend were supposed to come, but they couldn’t make it, so Su Qingwu took the opportunity.

“Right this way, please,” a waitress said, leading them to a private room on the second floor.

After pouring tea, she smiled: “Your food is being prepared and will be served in about ten minutes.”

With that, she left, leaving Su Qingwu and Lu Cheng alone.